THE symphony orchestra is endangered, and only adventurous young music directors can save it. At least that's one widespread take on the current situation. Podiums must be turned over to a new generation of conductors who could bring new vigor,...

It is all too easy to kick the classical record industry when it's down, as it has been for several years. And it is hard to predict the future even where it concerns DVD's, let alone downloading off the Internet. But there is much to appreciate in a...

December 21, 2003, Sunday

ONE of Wolfgang Sawallisch's greatest triumphs in his 10 years as music director of the Philadelphia Orchestra happened without the orchestra onstage. On the day of a Wagner concert in February 1994, when Mr. Sawallisch was still in his first season...

There was great anticipation about Wolfgang Sawallisch's concert with the Philadelphia Orchestra at Carnegie Hall on Tuesday night. This was his last appearance in New York with the orchestra as its music director. His 10-year tenure ends later this...

May 2, 2003, Friday

HIGHLIGHTS SAWALLISCH TO CARNEGIE HALL: AU REVOIR -- It's hail and farewell tomorrow night for Wolfgang Sawallisch, left. Beginning at 8, Mr. Sawallisch is to lead the final Carnegie Hall concert of his 10-year tenure as the music director of the...

Schumann's heirs were both right and wrong to suppress his Violin Concerto. Written just before his final dip into madness, the piece is weakened by a chaotic last movement and an unedited quality that permeates all three. Present also, however, are...

January 30, 2003, Thursday

Franz Schmidt's posthumous reputation continues to languish while those of colleagues like Mahler and Richard Strauss grow bigger by the day. Schmidt's coziness with the Nazis is one reason offered, but it is not enough. When the composer is good...